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Monday, March 30, 2009

Sonia Rykiel

Photo by Dominique Issermann

On Saturday I went with Anne to see the Sonia Rykiel exhibit at the Musee Les Arts Décoratifs - Mode et Textile 107 rue de Rivoli 75001 I used to be a HUGE fan in the days when Sonia was the poor girl's Chanel.Photo by Dominique IssermannSonia gave us so many things - fabulous color, sweater dresses, the high arm hole and the tight sleeve, writing in rhinestones, STRIPES!!! and independence.Her models danced down the catwalk at her shows, like in this famous photo by Dominique Issermann. Sonia's stripes were to die for... The colors and combinations were soooooo inventive - many of them nautical in origin...I never had anything like this! But I had the belts, the gloves, the socks (!), hats, pins, the bags on a belt (the first fanny bags), even lipsticks. Whatever I could afford to buy. I even made a very good friend, Parisien Christine, while waiting on line for the winter sales at Sonia at 7 AM. It was freezing and they put a little radiator out in the street and served us cups of coffee while we waited. Inside were cardboard boxes full of wonderful treasures marked down ridiculously! It was sheer heaven...Andy Warhol did this portrait of Sonia with her mass of fabulous red hair. After the exhibit we had a designer tea at Le Saut du Loup inside the museum.

Oh my. I also was a fan of Sonia's. Exhibit must have been fun.Never made it to a sale in Paris, once or twice I got to the shop nearRue du Bac. Her clothes weregreat. The current trip has been so much fun to follow. Thanks so much. I wish you had a way I could forward them tofriends. I especially liked the Walking Man and the Eiffel Tower.Very clever and spirited. Your painting has changed a bit -- somewhatlooser and sketchier. My thanks and appreciation.Leda

That was a fun walk down memory lane, Carol! I liked Sonia Rykiel's fashions, too. I didn't realize she was still doing her thing. Good for her! The food you showed here is making me starving, too. Yum! So glad to hear you're having fun escapades on this trip, and thanks for taking us with you!

You have shown so many differet things this trip to Paris then before. Its been a very interesting & fun trip from fashion to Food. I can see many paintings coming from this visit when you get back over the pond. I have really enjoyed seeing the Eiffel Tower. How is it living with that wonderful view? Or did you take that place that had the view?

Oh my goodness!! how were u able to take all those photos in the exhibition!! i came there at the start of March and had a totally mesmerizing love affair with her beautiful work! Her boutique is so close to where I live and it still fascinate me every day when I pass the boutique to see her wonderful quirky clothes and accessories in the windows! I know a lot of French women hates to admit it but i think that Sonia R. is the true French Fashion!!!!! I LOVE YOUR POST!!!and the salad with the egg... :)

A Facebook friend, Elizabeth, just turned me on to your blog, because I mentioned Oeuf pochée with salade frisée - and so did you today in your blog! I signed up. Your blog has lots of energy and is very beautiful too.All the best,Grace

Sonia is my all-time favorite after Chanel. I have several of her striped sweaters for both winter and summer; I have 3 striped purses, a scarf, and even lost my mind and bought a t shirt last year for $175! My checkbook cover is Sonia as well. I love, love, love stripes. Sometimes I buy Gerard Darel knock-offs, though, because they are cheaper.

Gerard Darel knocks off Sonia. There are stores with his name –174 Blvd. St. German—amd and you can buy his stuff in the department stores. The ads always feature Charlotte Gainsborough—daughter of Jane Birkin and Serge G. And you can’t buy any of this in the US.